Uveitis Specialist
Russell W. Read, M.D., Ph.D.
About Dr. Read
Russell W. Read, M.D., Ph.D. is a uveitis specialist with Retina Consultants of Alabama, P.C., Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Read’s clinical practice and research focuses on uveitis and ocular inflammatory disease at Retina Consultants of Alabama.
Specialized Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation Care
Dr. Read provides specialized care for uveitis and ocular inflammatory disease, including inflammatory conditions that may affect the retina, vitreous, choroid, optic nerve, and other structures inside the eye.
Education
- Fellowship, 2000
Doheny Eye Medical Clinic, Los Angeles, California - Ophthalmology Residency, 1998
University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington - Internship, 1995
Physician Medical Center Carraway, Birmingham, Alabama - Doctor of Medicine, 1998
University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
Professional Role
- Professor
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Birmingham, Alabama
Certification
- American Board of Ophthalmology, 2000
Specializations
Dr. Read specializes in uveitis and ocular inflammatory disease, including:
Research Focus
In his research, Dr. Read’s goal is to understand the underlying reasons for health disparities among patients with uveitis.
To accomplish this goal, current areas of focus are two fold. First, clinical data from patient care clinics is used to establish patient characteristics that predict worse disease severity and outcomes. Secondly, using an animal model of uveitis, Dr. Read is exploring the effect of melanin on disease severity.
Dr. Read has authored or coauthored over 120 papers, book chapters, and abstracts.
Subspecialty Training and Funding
Dr. Read received subspecialty training in both uveitis/ocular inflammatory diseases and ophthalmic pathology at the Doheny Eye Institute at the University of Southern California following completion of an ophthalmology residency at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Dr. Read received a Career Development Award from the National Eye Institute at the NIH which facilitated his earning a Ph.D. in immunology with a focus on the role of the complement system on uveitis.
Dr. Read’s research has been funded by the NIH, the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, the International Retinal Research Foundation and The Matthews Foundation.
Leadership and Service
Dr. Read currently serves as chair of both the “Basic and Clinical Science Course” committee for intraocular inflammation and uveitis and the “Practicing Ophthalmologist Curriculum” for uveitis, both the main teaching texts on uveitis published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
He currently serves as the executive secretary for the American Uveitis Society and is on the board of directors of the Alabama Academy of Ophthalmology.
Honors and Editorial Roles
Dr. Read is on the editorial board of the Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection.
He is the recipient of a Research to Prevent Blindness Physician-Scientist Award.
Dr. Read is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has been selected as one of the “Best Doctors in America” yearly since 2005.
Publications
Dr. Read has authored or coauthored over 120 papers, book chapters, and abstracts.